1. The first annual Political
Consultations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
H.E.Mr.Sergey Lavrov and the Foreign Ministers of the African Union «Troika»
Member-States,
acting as the present, former and future Chairpersons of the African Union (Republic
of South Africa, H.E.Ms.Naledi Pandor; Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E.Mr.Sameh
Shoukri; and Democratic Republic of Congo, H.E.Ms.Marie Tumba Nzeza) were held as a videoconference on 8 July
2020. The consultations were conducted within the framework of the launched
dialogue mechanism of Russia—Africa Partnership Forum that had been established
as an outcome of Russia—Africa Summit in Sochi on 23-24 October 2019. The heads
of a number of national line organizations and government bodies also took part
in the consultations.
2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian
Federation briefed the participants on the main objectives of the Secretariat
of Russia—Africa Partnership Forum launched under the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Russian Federation, that include general coordination of
Russia—Africa interaction during the preparations to the Summits, boosting of
business links between the Russian and African companies, and development of
joint roadmaps of economic, academic, and cultural dimensions of Russia—Africa
cooperation.
3. The Ministers noted the importance of
establishing close cooperation between the Secretariat of Russia—Africa
Partnership Forum and the Foreign Services of the African countries and the
secretariats of the African Regional Economic Communities.
4. The Ministers discussed the modalities and ways
to boost Russia—Africa industrial cooperation both bilaterally and through
Regional Economic Communities
5. The Ministers expressed grave concern over
COVID-19 ongoing spread of around the world and its consequences. They noted
the importance of boosted international cooperation in fighting epidemics,
pandemics and other public health issues. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Russian Federation confirmed Russia’s willingness to continue its efforts
to grant relevant assistance to the countries of the African continent fighting
COVID-19 pandemic, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
6. The Ministers confirmed that the Second
Russia—Africa Summit is to be held on the African continent in 2022. They decided
that its concrete dates and venue would be agreed during their next political
consultations, after the 2022 African Union Chair becomes known.
7. The Ministers stressed the importance and
topicality of the 60th Anniversary of UN Declaration on the Granting
of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of 14 December 1960.
8. The
Ministers confirmed the significance of the principle of equality and
self-identification of peoples, resolutely opposed the contemporary forms and
practices of xenophobia, racism, neocolonialism, and Nazism.
9.
The
Ministers agreed to hold the second annual Political
Consultations of Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and the African
Union «Troika» Member-States in
2021.
